Hi, I’m Wheels and I am all excited about Sunday. It is the annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi at Central Christian Church. It’s a big day for dogs and people! We gather on the beautiful church lawn in the shade of the sprawling Bois D’ Arc tree and give thanks for the wonderful part animals play in the lives of their people.

This will be my fifth year to attend the event and I look forward to seeing and meeting new dogs and people every year. Just like the church says about Sunday worship: “You don’t have to be a member to participate in the Blessing of the Animals. All are welcome!”

Come at 10 for coffee and pastries and check out the one-acre dog park located just behind the church. Central established a community dog park ten years ago so that people and their dogs would have a safe place to commune with nature and God, visit with each other, play ball with their dogs, all in a fenced, shaded, off-leash dog park. Today outdoor worship is held the first and third Sunday of the month in the dog park.

At 11 o’clock Sunday morning a processional will begin the blessing of the animals. Following the service and communion, people will enjoy hot dogs with all the trimmings, an opportunity to win the drawing and learn massage techniques from Jackie Pinson of Pawsitive Touch. Of course, there will be plenty of treats and take-home goodies for the dogs.

See the St. Francis Medallion on my new collar? Everyone gets one. Come on over to Central Christian Church located at 4711 Westside Dr. It’s all fun and all free. Here are some pictures from past blessings to show how much loving fun we have. You will be glad you came. If it rains, we have a back-up plan.